Monday, July 19, 2010

Before I announce the winner of the Sterling Silver Cross giveaway, I must start with a big fat thank you to all of you who entered. I am still overwhelmed by how many of you take the time to show up here every so often. So thank you to my followers and subscribers as well.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

As promised, here is the giveaway. As the hint suggested, it is 925 Silver. Sterling Silver.

This beautiful, brand new, cubic zirconia, sterling silver cross comes complete with the chain. It is truly stunning! Keep it for yourself, or give it to someone special as a gift. This piece was from my online jewelry business and was definitely one of my more popular items.

You guys know the drill, but I’ll list it here just for the heck of it.

1. One Entry for leaving a comment.

2. If you are a follower or an email subscriber, leave ANOTHER comment for another entry. That makes 2 entries.

3. If you put my little giveaway button somewhere on your blog, tell me by leaving another comment and give yourself another entry.

4. Recommend a new follower! Leave me their name in comment and once they do become a follower, that’s one more entry.

5. Blog about the giveaway in a post and that’ll give you 5 extra entries! Leave a comment telling me you have done so.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

For quite some time I stored firewood in it, but I do believe it’s a planter. Now that the fire pit is getting used and the firewood is gone, it’s time to turn this little goodie into a planter once again. Claudia over at Cap Creations had a terrific idea for an address planter box, so that’s what I thought I’d do.

I didn’t want to paint it, as I love the rustic, aged look. Again, with no cricut at hand, I resort to the use of stencils.

I chose red to match the front door.

Drill holes for drainage.

Line the container with heavy plastic and staple in place. Make sure to punch holes through the plastic where the drainage holes are.

Fill with soil, plants and a couple of garden hand tools.

I took a sanding block to the red letters to give then a worn look in keeping with the planter itself. (For obvious reasons I have removed part of the street name in the pictures.)

Monday, July 5, 2010

This past weekend was a holiday weekend in Canada. I was very lucky to be given an EXTRA day off. A FOUR day weekend! Although I only live 30 minutes from downtown I don’t get down to the city much, but on Saturday we took a trip to St. Lawrence Market and the Toronto Waterfront.

For those who aren’t familiar, The St. Lawrence Market started as a Saturday Farmer’s Market in 1803. It’s located in the heart of Toronto, near the Waterfront.

(I cut off the ‘3’, in the picture, but pretend its there)

The sign of a true master photographer.. wait till you get in the car and take pictures leaning over your dashboard.

I remember visiting here quite regularly when I was small. My parents would drag us down there on a Saturday morning. As a child, I was less than impressed. I remember being traumatized by the crudeness of it all. Displays of pigs heads alongside the pork chops. This of course was back in 1960somethingorother. Well I’m happy to report the heads are gone, but the fresh meats and produce are still in abundance.

Here, Canadian Back Bacon is roasted with maple syrup and brown sugar, until the outside is crispy with sweetness. She will cut you some to take home, but most of us ate it out of the bag while strolling the market.

You can buy clothes, jewellery,

… and a few whimsical items.

Right outside the market is Toronto’s Flatiron Building, completed in 1892. A favourite of mine.

With a shot of the CN Tower in the background.

A beautiful shot, if I do say so myself. NOT from inside my car.

A couple of blocks south is the Waterfront, where you’ll find this statuesque lovely lady,

smiling and posing for pictures.

You’ll also find my boat docked there..

well… maybe some day…(heavy sigh)

But I DID spot this little beaut available for rent. I turned to Mr. Charming and hinted at what a wonderful weekend we could spend aboard this dream!!

Whereupon Mr. Charming casually turned the camera one spot to the right and said he would be happy to rent this one for me. (extremely heavy sigh)

The Tall Ships were also in town this past weekend. What a treat to see those!

The Simcoe WaveDeck is just a little added fun while walking along the Harbourfront.

You can choose the level you’re comfortable with.

Well, that’s my walk around a little slice of this wonderful town this past Canada Day weekend.